Shashin Mishra is Vice President, EMEA, AiDASH
Behind every thriving community lies a local government navigating a maze of challenges - balancing housing needs, infrastructure demands, environmental sustainability, and social wellbeing. This work is complex, often thankless, yet profoundly impactful.
Planning is about more than approvals and policies; it’s about vision, leadership, and the ability to shape places where people and nature coexist harmoniously. Acknowledging this dedication is crucial, which is why the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are so significant. They shine a spotlight on the individuals and teams making bold decisions, driving progress, and demonstrating that planning is a cornerstone of a better future.
This year, AiDASH was privileged to sponsor the Planning Authority of the Year category - a celebration of those who set the bar for what planning can achieve.
BNG: From Regulatory Hurdle to Strategic Advantage
One of the most transformative challenges facing planning authorities today is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). For some, it may seem like yet another layer of regulation in an already complex system. But for those willing to embrace it, BNG is a powerful opportunity to drive long-term environmental and social benefits.
BNG mandates that developments leave wildlife habitats in a measurably better state. While this might initially feel like a burden, it’s also a pathway to enriching local biodiversity, improving public health, and adding value to land and development projects. Greener spaces foster wellbeing, reduce stress, and lower the demand on social care systems - delivering tangible benefits that ripple far beyond compliance.
The choice for planning authorities is clear: treat BNG as a box-ticking exercise or use it to reimagine the relationship between land, people, and nature.
Celebrating Sandwell
At this year’s RTPI Awards, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council stood out as the well-deserved winner of the Planning Authority of the Year award. Their innovative approach and commitment to community-focused planning set an inspiring example for councils nationwide.
To support Sandwell’s continued success, AiDASH awarded them £10,000 worth of access to our BNGAI™ platform, enabling biodiversity net gain assessments across up to 10 development sites. By helping to address complex challenges, this support empowers Sandwell to deliver more sustainable developments, enhance local biodiversity, and meet regulatory requirements with greater confidence.
This isn’t just about software - it’s about providing Sandwell with the tools to turn challenges into opportunities. With BNGAI™, they can transform BNG from a regulatory hurdle into a catalyst for positive change, helping them protect the environment, enhance the value of land, and create healthier, greener communities.
A beacon of planning excellence
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council has distinguished itself through a series of strategic initiatives and tangible achievements that have significantly enhanced the borough’s development and environmental stewardship. In March 2022, the council’s Planning Team unveiled the Borough’s Regeneration Strategy, successfully attracting an impressive £2.9 billion in investment. This strategic vision has already borne fruit, with notable projects such as the refurbishment of West Bromwich Town Hall. Looking ahead, the council has outlined plans to enhance the cycling and walking network, expand the Ron Davis Centre in Smethwick, and develop new council housing, including the Cresswells Road scheme in Oldbury.
In terms of environmental initiatives, Sandwell has proactively adopted the Black Country Local Nature Recovery Map and Strategy to guide the strategic delivery of biodiversity net gain (BNG) within the borough. Demonstrating a commitment to sustainable development, the council has designated six areas of council-owned land as biodiversity net gain habitat banks, aligning with the forthcoming mandatory BNG requirements.
These concerted efforts underscore Sandwell’s dedication to fostering equitable prosperity, environmental sustainability, and community well-being, setting a commendable standard for planning authorities nationwide.
Recognising excellence: Why awards like these matter
Awards like the RTPI’s are more than a celebration; they are a spotlight on the unsung heroes of community transformation. They validate the hard work of planners, inspire innovation, and encourage councils to think big in their ambitions.
Planning authorities are pivotal in shaping not just landscapes but lives. By recognising excellence, we elevate the entire profession and highlight its critical role in building healthier, more sustainable communities.
A challenge to planning authorities to embrace the opportunity
Sandwell’s achievement highlights what’s possible when planning authorities embrace change and think strategically. But they’re not alone - every council has the potential to turn BNG into a driver of progress.
Planning is the bridge between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s possibilities. We were honoured to sponsor the Planning Authority of the Year award and to stand alongside visionary councils like Sandwell as they redefine what’s possible in planning.
At AiDASH, we look forward to continuing our support for planning authorities across the UK as they tackle the challenges of BNG and build a greener, healthier future for all.
